by thesaffrongael

St Louis Fall Just Short in McFarland Cup Thriller

Danske Bank MacFarland Cup Final:

St Mary’s Magherafelt 6-9 St Louis Ballymena 2-15

Despite a heroic display of skill and resilience, St Louis Ballymena narrowly missed out on MacFarland Cup glory in Portglenone yesterday, falling to a St Mary’s Magherafelt side whose ruthless eye for goal ultimately proved the difference.

In a cruel twist of irony for the Ballymena faithful, it was a fellow Antrim man who did the most damage. Kickhams Creggan clubman Conan Devlin was the tormentor-in-chief for the Derry school, netting four times to break St Louis’ hearts in a gripping 6-9 to 2-15 decider.

St Louis burst out of the traps, playing the better hurling in the opening exchanges. They capitalised on a hesitant St Mary’s start to build a deserved 0-4 to 0-1 lead, with the sharp-shooting Oscar Bradley floating over two excellent early points.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Devlin pounced for his first goal against the run of play. St Louis refused to rattle, and Cayden McGuckien quickly responded with a well-taken point to cut the deficit to 0-5 to 2-2.

Unfortunately for the Antrim lads, St Mary’s found a sudden purple patch. Daniel Turner rattled the Ballymena net, and Devlin followed up with his second in the 20th minute. True to their character, St Louis dug deep. Bradley, Conan McKeever, and Cillian Gillespie all raised white flags to claw their way back into the tie.

A second Turner goal threatened to derail the comeback, but Lorcán Doherty showed superb predatory instincts to strike a vital goal for Ballymena just before the break, keeping them firmly in the hunt at 4-4 to 1-10 at the turnaround.

St Louis were hit with an early setback in the second half when the clinical Devlin completed his hat-trick, stretching the Magherafelt lead to 5-5 to 1-10.

Yet, the defining feature of this St Louis team is their refusal to yield. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, dominating long stretches of play and putting the Convent defence under immense pressure. The breakthrough their hard work deserved came in the 52nd minute when Cayden McGuckien fired home a brilliant Ballymena goal.

With the scoreboard now reading 5-7 to 2-14, the gap was down to just two points. The momentum was entirely with Ballymena, and a famous comeback looked to be firmly on the cards.

In the dying minutes, however, St Mary’s managed to weather the storm. Crucial points from Michael Kearney and substitute Oisín McNicholl deservedly gave the Magherafelt side breathing room, before that man Devlin struck a fatal blow with his fourth goal mere minutes from the final whistle to seal the win.

Alexandra from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after the Magherafelt team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen

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St Mary’s Magherafelt celebrate their win over St Louis Ballymena in the final of the McFarland Cup in Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Alexandra Johnston from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after his team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks win Táin Og Division 1 title

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-13 v Toreen, Mayo 1-02 at Breffni Park, Cavan

Loughgiel Shamrocks U14’s travelled to a blustery Breffni Park in Cavan to take on Connacht Champions Tooreen in the Division 1 Táin Og Final. With the wind in their favour in the first half, Loughgiel started at a blistering pace and in the opening minute got the first score of the game through half forward Iarla Gillan after good work from Caolan McGuckian. Not long after, Gillan got his second of the day and points followed from Danny McMullan and Brendan Murtagh, after good work from Tom Quinn, to give the Ulster Champions a 4 point lead. In their first meaningful attack, the Mayo side nearly hit the net but were thwarted by Olly McConville in goals making a great high catch under intense pressure and clearing his lines.

Loughgiel were unfortunate not to extend their lead when the Tooreen keeper made an excellent save to his left to stop a certain goal and Dáire Kearney struck the post after a great catch in a congested midfield. Full forward Caelan Patterson got off the mark with two quickfire points as Loughgiel asserted their dominance again. Tooreen began to settle and applied pressure but found a determined Loughgiel half backline of Kevin Gillan, Matthew Barr and Noah McAuley tough to break down. Tooreen did manage to get off the mark with a fine score midway through the first half. The first half ended with midfield duo of McMullan and Kearney getting a score apiece and a well struck 65 from Gillan to leave the half time score 0-7 to 0-1 to the Shamrocks in a wet Breffni Park pitch.

The second half began with Tooreen asking all the questions and belief that goals were needed but full back Oisin O’Connell was inspired at the back clearing everything that came at him, with Conor Irvine and Oisin McCaughan on hand to further frustrate the opposition attack. Into a strong breeze, it was Loughgiel’s Oisin Butler who was next to point and extend the lead, that was followed up by Patterson’s third of the game after a superb catch and ball forward by Barr. Kearney and McMullan combined again with the latter scoring from distance to move 9 clear. Tooreen weren’t giving up but again McConville pulled off a superb save from close range to maintain the Shamrocks advantage.

As the game reached the last five minutes, the Connacht Champions finally found the net with an unstoppable low shot past McConville and followed up with another score. As time ticked away, Kearney got his second of the day and Archie McGarry made a great run and drew a foul from which Gillan comfortably pointed to round off the scoring with his fourth of the game. As the final whistle went Loughgiel celebrated a comprehensive win 0-13 to 1-2.

by thesaffrongael

St Patrick’s PS Loughgiel complete a unique double

St Patrick’s Loughgiel won, the LGFA section of the Cumann na mBunscol county finals at St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena on Monday, despite the fact they never played the game until six weeks ago. Run off on a round-robin basis St Patrick’s beat runners up South Antrim Champions St Anne’s Belfast, and South West winners Ballymacrickett PS from Glenavy. In doing so they girls completed what might be a unique double, after winning the Camogie title three days earlier at the same venue. The Loughgiel teams also picked up the Player of the tournament award which went to Caelagh Connolly.

Henry Duffin presents the LGFA Cup to the St Patrick’s Loughgiel captain
Ballymacricket PS
Player of the tournament Caelagh Connolly receives her award from Henry Duffin
Runners-up St Anne’s PS, Belfast
by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks first half dominance set them up for victory

Countess of Antrim Cup Final

Final Score: Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-20 Cushendall Ruairí Óg 4-10

Venue: Cushendun

Shane O’Boyle who starred for the Shamrocks

Loughgiel Shamrocks put on a blistering display of attacking hurling to claim the Countess of Antrim Cup on Monday evening, defeating a resilient Cushendall Ruairí Óg side that ultimately left themselves with a mountain too tall to climb.

A Blistering First Half by the Shamrocks set their intentions from the very first whistle. Shane O’Boyle opened the scoring just 29 seconds in, quickly following it up with a second point before Roan McGarry rattled the net from a free at the two minute mark. Cushendall struggled to cope with the early onslaught, managing only a single point from Christy McNaughton by the 7th minute.

Loughgiel’s relentless pressure, highlighted by accurate shooting from McGarry and a well-taken point from Paddy Laverty, saw them open up a commanding 1-07 to 0-01 lead after just eleven minutes. This electric start effectively laid the foundation for their victory.

Cushendall eventually found their footing. Points from Charlie McAuley and Callagh Mooney, along with a much-needed goal from Joe McNaughton in the 19th minute, briefly stemmed the tide. However, Loughgiel’s attack was too fluid. Shane O’Boyle grabbed a goal of his own, and with players like Ryan Hill, Tiago McGarry, and Ronan Fitzgerald all adding points, Loughgiel entered the dressing room at half-time with a comfortable eleven-point cushion (2-14 to 1-06).

Cushendall corner forward Fintan McKillop who scored 2-02 of his team’s total

To their credit, the Ruairís came out fighting in the second half. Fintan McKillop sparked hope with an early goal, but Loughgiel quickly extinguished the momentum. Within minutes, Shane O’Boyle found the back of the net for his second goal of the game, reasserting Loughgiel’s dominance.

Cushendall undeniably fared better in the latter thirty minutes. McKillop managed to secure a second goal to keep his team in the fight, and Callagh Mooney added a fourth green flag for the Ruairís late in the game. Christy McNaughton also kept the scoreboard ticking over with consistent frees and ’65s. Despite winning the second-half goal battle, Cushendall simply couldn’t close the massive gap established in the opening quarter.

Loughgiel managed the game out expertly, with late points from Ronan Fitzgerald ensuring they crossed the finish line as deserved 3-20 to 4-10 winners.

The standout players of the evening wore the Loughgiel colours. Roan McGarry was the Man of the Match, dictating the play and punishing Cushendall with incredible accuracy from both placed balls and open play. Shane O’Boyle was equally devastating, providing a massive attacking threat with two crucial goals and early points that set the tone, while Ronan Fitzgerald also starred.

For Cushendall, Fintan McKillop, Callagh Mooney and Christy McNaughton carried the main threat. McNaughton’s reliability on dead balls and Mooney’s constant drive and late goal ensured the Ruairís fought proudly until the final whistle, even when the game was drifting out of reach.

North Antrim chairman Martin Magee presents the Man of the Match award to Roan McGarry of Loughgiel Shamrocks
Martin Magee presents the Countess of Antrim Cup to Loughgiel captain Eddie Smyh.

Loughgiel Shamrocks John Francis Connolly; Liam Glackin, Eddie Smyth, Ashdon McGarry; Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Conall McCloskey; Ronan Fitzgerald, Patrick Laverty; Finn Henry, Shane O’Boyle, Pearce Patterson; Roan McGarry, Ryan Hill, Conan Johnston.

Scorers: Roan McGarry 1-08 (1-04 frees), Shane O’Boyle 2-03, Ronan Fitzgerald 0-04, Patrick Laverty 0-01, Ryan Hill 0-01, Tiago McGarry 0-01, Paddy McGarry 0-01, Damien Quinn 0-01.

Cushendall Ruairí Óg Shane Coulter; Senan Black, Aodhan Campbell; Stephen Walsh, Paddy Sharpe; Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McNaughton, Darach Bradley; Ciaran Neeson, Christy McNaughton, Fintan McKillop.

Scorers: Fintan McKillop 2-02, Christy McNaughton 0-05 (0-02 frees, 0-02 ’65s), Callagh Mooney 1-01, Joseph McNaughton 1-00, Charlie McAuley 0-01, Ed McQuillan 0-01.

Roan McGarry who won the Man of the Match award

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by thesaffrongael

Derry Triumphs Over Antrim in All-Ireland JFC Clash

Antrim 1-12 Derry 2-17

LGFA

Antrim senior ladies suffered a heavy defeat to Derry in this second round robin game of the All Ireland JFC 

Derry were deserved winners on the day and certainly avenged their Ulster final defeat 3 weeks ago. The Saffrons never really got going and no matter what they tried, it just wasn’t working. 

Antrim were minus a number of regulars, mainly due to injuries but it was no excuse for this under power performance 

Playing against the strong wind in the first half Antrim went in at the break 5 down. They missed a catalogue of chances in the second half and that didn’t help their cause and Derry raised two second half green flags and that extinguished any hope Antrim had of getting back into the game.

In the end it must be the Saffrons they were beaten by a superior team on the day and the Antrim management will be keen to put this defeat behind them and hope that they will have some of their injured players back for their next game.

There were changes to the Antrim line-up, but take nothing away from the hosts, who took the game to them with some outstanding displays.

Sarah Heron was excellent at centre half-back, with Claudy pair Blaithin Donelly and Kate Hargan tireless at midfield.

Steelstown’s Orlagh McGeough came off the bench, while Anna Donnelly also performed well.

The Antrim management weren’t too critical of their side “This group give so much time and are so committed and will certainly be keen to get back on track and better performances will certainly come their way. They have had more good days than bad and there will certainly be no panic after one defeat” 

On a day when things didn’t quite work out for Antrim Alyssa Davison, Laura Agnew and Maeve Blaney were their best performers.

Derry seemed to take motivation from that earlier Ulster final defeat and performed admirably all over the field.

Manager Seamus Shivers said “There was no need either for extra motivation. We all felt that we had a point to prove in terms of our own performance regardless of how the result would go, but thankfully we were able to get both the performance and the result.”

Derry led 2-3 to 1-0 at half time with their goals coming from J Slevin and J Shivers with Ni Lochlainn adding the three points as they led 2-3 to 1-0 at the break, Maria O’Neill beating Thomasina Cassidy for Antrim’s only score.

Antrim did improve on the restart but were always chasing the visitors.

Bronagh Devlin, Aoibheann Monaghan and Aine Tubridy tagged on points, but Orla McGeough, Clodagh Moore and Ni Lochlainn kept the scoreboard moving for the home team.

Ni Lochlainne would finish the game with an impressive 0-11 as the Oak Leaf girls ran out fairly convincing winners in the end.

Scorers:

Derry: A Ni Lochlainne 0-11 (3tp); A Duffy 0-3; J Slevin & J Shivers 1-0; Orlagh McGeough 0-2; C Moore 0-1

Antrim: M O’Neill 1-1; A Monaghan 0-3; A Davidson 0-3; B Devlin 0-2; A Tubridy, A Taggart & L Agnew 0-1 each

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